A DEVELOPMENT of nearly 200 new homes in London Road, St Ives – 75 of them ‘affordable’ – looks set to get the go-ahead on Monday.

A DEVELOPMENT of nearly 200 new homes in London Road, St Ives – 75 of them ‘affordable’ – looks set to get the go-ahead on Monday.

Planners are recommending that Huntingdonshire District Council’s development management panel approve an application by Stamford Homes Limited to develop more than four hectares of housing on what used to be the sites of Lordgate Engineering Limited and Jewsons builders merchants. The site is 5.2 hectares in total.

Technically, the site is in Hemingford Grey – and the opposite side of London Road is in Fenstanton. Both parish councils have objected to the proposal, but planners are urging councillors to overrule their misgivings that the plans represent over-development and would lead to unacceptable additional traffic.

The original outline consent, granted in 2007, was for 155 homes on a smaller area of land. But completion of the Environment Agency’s �30million flood defences for St Ives and Hemingfords means a larger area can be developed without increasing the risk of flooding.

Four in 10 of the new homes will be provided as ‘affordable’ – most for rent with a social landlord and some for low-cost ownership. If the plans are approved, the developer will also contribute more than �1million towards the cost of additional school places generated by the new homes, and will provide money for transport, health services and play areas.